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Youth Training Overview

This section provides a variety of materials, from quick references to complete courses, all designed to help our members improve leadership skills and deliver a quality program. Many of the courses can be taken online. A log-in is required; however, anyone may create a user account and view the courses. Registered members of the BSA may provide their member numbers (as part of the user profile) to receive credit.

General Cub Scouting Boy Scouting Varsity Venturing Sea Scouts

Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST)

The purpose of the ILST course is to teach Scouts with leadership positions about their new roles and how to most effectively reach success in that role. It is intended to help Boy Scouts in leadership positions within their troop understand their responsibilities and to equip them with organizational and leadership skills to fulfill those responsibilities. ILST is the first course in the series of leadership training offered to Boy Scouts and is a replacement for Troop Leadership Training. Completion of ILST is a prerequisite for Boy Scouts to participate in the more advanced leadership courses National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) and the National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE). It is also required to participate in a Kodiak Challenge Trek.

Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews (ILSC)

The purpose of the Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews course is to teach crew members with leadership positions about their new roles and how to most effectively reach success in that role. It is intended to help Venturers in leadership positions within their crew understand their responsibilities and to equip them with organizational and leadership skills to fulfill those responsibilities. Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews is the first course in the series of leadership training offered to Venturers and is a replacement for the Venturing Leadership Skills Course. Completion of Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews is a prerequisite for Venturers to participate in the more advanced leadership courses National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) and the National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE). It is also required for Kodiak.

Introduction to Leadership Skills for Ships (ILSS)

ILSS is intended to help Sea Scouts in leadership positions within their ship understand their responsibilities and to equip them with organizational and leadership skills to fulfill those responsibilities. ILSS replaces the Venturing Leadership Skills Course (VLSC) and is a prerequisite for Sea Scouts to participate in the more advanced leadership courses (i.e., National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE) and the Kodiak Challenge).

Welcome to Den Chief Training!

Boy Scouts wishing to become den chiefs will take this online course as part of their training to become a den chief. The module identifies den chief responsibilities and tasks, and describes the den chief's relationship to the adult den leaders and how that relates to the den chief's activities with the den. After finishing the online training, den chief candidates print their certificate of completion and undergo further training with their adult den leaders. Estimated time to complete: 45 minutes.

Venturing Crew Officers Orientation

This training module is geared primarily to Venturing youth that are elected into positions as officers within their Venturing crew, but it can also be used by adult leaders to learn the duties of the officers in the crew. This course is very useful for youth officers to fully understand their roles and responsibilities as it relates to Crew Officers Briefings and Seminars. This course will help the youth develop an annual plan of activities for the crew, as well as acquiring leadership and team-building skills. Estimated time to complete: 45 minutes.

Youth Leadership Training Continuum

The Boy Scouts of America provides opportunities for youth to develop and improve their leadership skills in the unit, in the local council, and at national training centers. Click here to find out more about what leadership courses would be of the most benefit to you or your youth.

Venturing Goal Setting & Time Management Training Module

Below is the instructor's guide for the Venturing Goal Setting and Time Management Training Module. This course will provides a fun, interactive learning experience in learning Time Management in a in a 3 ½ hour time period. The presentation of this module can be split up to accommodated to meet the needs of the crew. Completing this training module will fulfills the Venturing Discovery Award requirement for the goal setting-time management training course.

Mentoring for Venturing

Below is the instructor's guide for the Mentoring for Venturing. This course will provides a interactive learning experience on Mentoring in a in a 2 hours. The presentation of this module can be split up to accommodated to meet the needs of the crew. Completing this training module will fulfills the Venturing Summit Award requirement for the Mentoring training course.

Kodiak Challenge

The Kodiak Challenge is designed to be an adventure that pushes the boundaries of every participant - one that will encourage you to try new things that may be out of your comfort zone. It is an experience—but one that has its underpinnings in the application of the leadership skills they learned in the Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops or Crews, NYLT, and/or NAYLE. It is, as is all of Scouting, an adventure with a purpose

National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE)

National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience is an exciting program that enhances leadership skills and expands upon the team-building and ethical decision-making skills learned in NYLT. NAYLE emphasizes leadership, teamwork, and selfless service, and uses the core elements of NYLT to help youth internalize and strengthen these skills. The National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience course is now available at all national high-adventure bases. The material presented is basically the same at all four venues but is site-specific.

Philmont NAYLE

Philmont offers participants an unforgettable backcountry experience where they use their NAYLE leadership skills to resolve exciting and challenging issues. Participants are introduced to and have an opportunity to build upon the legacy of Waite Phillips, the benefactors of Philmont Scout Ranch.

To register for Philmont NAYLE, go to www.myscouting.org, and click on the Events Registration tab.

Sea Base NAYLE

Offered in the spring in the beautiful Florida Keys, this course will enable participants to sail on a boat and practice their NYLT skills via water-based activities. Participants will learn the history of the Florida Sea Base and hear all about how Sam Wampler, Camping director for the South Florida Council, had a vision that took the Sea Base from a small venue that organized a few sailing trips in the ’70s to what it is today.

Northern Tier NAYLE

Participants will attend this course in the summer while paddling canoes in the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota. Northern Tier NAYLE promises to provide participants with a unique experience available only at the BSA’s oldest high-adventure base.

NYLT Leadership Academy

The NYLT Leadership Academy trains youth staff to be top-notch presenters, evaluators, and leaders of their councils’ National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) courses. This intensive one-week course will improve course (NYLT) knowledge and problem-solving skills, which will help them run world-class NYLT programs.

Powder Horn

Open to both registered adults and youth who are at least 13 and have completed the 8th grade, Powder Horn is a hands-on resource management course designed to give you the contacts and tools necessary to conduct an awesome high-adventure program in your troop, team, crew, or ship. Contact your area training chair for information about upcoming courses in your area.

Early Rank Requirement Videos

Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class rank requirement videos.

View online

Hazardous Weather

Hazardous Weather training must be completed prior to requesting a tour permit from the BSA. The module presents safety precautions for eight different types of weather, as well as planning, preparation, and traditional weather signs. You will answer questions about the topics after each section. Completion is noted automatically in the BSA training records database if the module is experienced online. Estimated time to complete: 40 minutes.